Coronavirus cases confirmed at St Osmunds Middle School

Cases of Coronavirus have been now confirmed at St Osmunds Middle School in Dorchester.

The school remains open and Public Health Dorset say all close contacts have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days.

Yesterday both reception classes at Radipole Primary School in Weymouth were sent home due to a cases of Covid-19 at the school.

Other year groups, including siblings of children in reception are still being asked to go in.

Jo Wilson is Head of Programmes for Public Health Dorset.

She told Greatest Hits Radio:

"Schools have worked really hard over the summer to take every measure to ensure that it is safe for children to come back to school.

"That's not to say I don't understand parents will feel anxious about that, but I am very confident that the measures are being taken and schools are working very closely with public health to ensure that is the case.

"Of course there is a possibility that a child or member of staff will come into school during a period of infection when they're not symptomatic, but schools are taking measures to reduce that risk, and that's around taking social distancing measures, regular hand washing and enhanced school cleaning.

"If a child then does into contact or a member of staff comes in to contact someone in the school who has tested positive then we work very closely with that school to identify any children or staff who need to isolate and remain vigilant to any symptoms that may be developing."